Science and Technology (S&T) Digest (16-31 March 2025), Issue 58

Dr Saroj Bishoyi, Senior Fellow, VIF

April 29 , 2025 Views: 152 Comments: 0

In this Issue

I. Defence and Security

Defence Production and Export Reaching New Heights

India’s defence production has grown at an extraordinary pace since the launch of the “Make in India” initiative, reaching a record ₹1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, with defence exports rising to an all-time high of ₹23,622 crore in FY 2024-25. Once dependent on foreign suppliers, the country now stands as a rising force in indigenous manufacturing, shaping its military strength through home-grown capabilities. This shift reflects a strong commitment to self-reliance, ensuring that India not only meets its security needs but also builds a robust defence industry that contributes to economic growth. Click here to read…

MoD Inks Two Contracts with HAL for Supply of 156 LCH, Prachand

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 28 March 2025 signed two contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for supply of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), Prachand, along with training and other associated equipment worth Rs. 62,700 crores, excluding taxes. The first contract is for supply of 66 LCHs to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and second is for supply of 90 LCHs to the Indian Army. The supply of these Helicopters shall commence from the third year and will be spread over the next five years. The contracts will enhance the combat capability of Armed Forces at high altitudes. LCH is India’s first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter having a capability of operating at an altitude of over 5000 meters. Click here to read…

Flight-Test of Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy conducted the successful flight-test of indigenously-developed Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on 26 March 2025. The flight-test was carried out from a land-based vertical launcher against a high-speed aerial target at very close range and low altitude. It has established the Near-Boundary-Low Altitude capability of the missile system. During the test, the target was completely destroyed by the missile executing the high turn rate required for engaging targets at very close range, and establishing the missile’s agility, reliability & pin-point accuracy. Click here to read…

DAC Approves Capital Acquisition Proposals to Enhance Defence Capabilities

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on 20 March 2025 accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) to eight capital acquisition proposals amounting to over Rs 54,000 crore. For the Indian Army, AoN for procurement of 1350 HP Engine was accorded to upgrade the present 1000 HP Engine for the T-90 Tanks. This will enhance the battlefield mobility of these tanks especially in high-altitude area by increasing the power to weight ratio. For the Indian Navy, AoN for procurement of Varunastra Torpedoes (Combat) was accorded by DAC. Varunastra Torpedo is an indigenously-developed ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo developed by Naval Science & Technological Laboratory. Click here to read…

Second Frigate of Project 1135.6 Built by GSL Launched

The second frigate of Project 1135.6 Additional Follow-on Ships, named ‘Tavasya’, built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), was launched at GSL, Goa on 22 March 2025. These Frigates are Follow-on of P1135.6 ships, which are now being constructed indigenously by Indian Shipyard. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Raksha Rajya Mantri highlighted the Indian Navy’s growing self-reliance. He underlined, “This launch is a defining moment in India’s Naval history, showcasing our technological capabilities and unwavering commitment to self-reliance.” The ship has been named ‘Tavasya’, after the mace of legendary warrior ‘Bhima’ from the ‘Mahabharata’, representing the indomitable spirit and growing strength of the Indian Navy. Click here to read…

II. STI in Space Sector

Encouraging Private Participation in Space Sector

The Government is encouraging private-sector participation in space domain by taking following steps including liberalized the space sector to allow Non-Government Entities (NGEs) to engage in full space activities; the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACE) is established to promote, enable, authorize, and supervise NGEs activities; established the Indian Space Policy - 2023, Norms, Guidelines & Procedures (NGP) and FDI policy to ensure regulatory clarity and foster a thriving space ecosystem; and, various schemes like Technology Adoption Fund (TAF), Seed Fund, Pricing Support, Mentorship, and Technical Labs to support startups and NGEs in space are being implemented, signed 78 MoUs with NGEs and issued 72 authorizations as on 31 December 2024. This information was given by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. Click here to read…

Funding Support for Space Technology Startups

IN-SPACe has launched Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) scheme for promoting the Indian industry especially start-ups towards commercialization of early-stage space technologies. The objective of the fund is: upgradation of the existing space technologies from TRL-3/4 to TRL 7/8 (or higher) towards commercialization; development of innovative products; and, import substitution of components whose technologies have not matured in the Indian industry. The scheme aims at making India self-sufficient and import substitution for complex space technologies thus aligning with Aatmanirbhar Bharat and also aims at supporting the startups working in niche space technologies by enhancing the domestic technical capabilities, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. Click here to read…

Cooperation with Private Sector in Space Development

IN-SPACe has taken steps for establishing indigenous Earth Observation System through Non-Government Entities (NGEs) under Public Private Partnership (PPP). IN-SPACe is working towards Technology Transfer of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to NGEs. The Government collaborates with the private sector to advance space development, driving innovation, economic growth, and technology adoption. IN-SPACe, under its 'Decadal Vision,' promotes indigenous space products through Space Applications Adoption Workshops (SAAW), fostering awareness, collaboration, and real-world applications. This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on 26 March 2025. Click here to read…

Chandrayaan-4 Mission and Lunar Sample Collection

Of the four astronauts undergoing rigorous training for the upcoming human mission, ‘Gaganyaan’ one of them, Group Captain Shukla, has been selected to join the mission to the International Space Station, while others remain in an intensive preparatory phase to ensure mission success. This was stated in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh. He asserted that India’s space ambitions are set to reach new heights in reply to a question, while revealing crucial details about the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission. The mission, which will feature multiple advanced docking technology and lunar sample collection, is poised to be a major step toward India’s goal of establishing its own space station by 2040. Click here to read…

ISRO’s Outreach Programmes for Students

Space activities have garnered significant interest among people across the country. Creating awareness and encouraging the adoption of space technologies can have a significant impact on the social and economic life of a common man. Space-based applications in areas such as agriculture, disaster management, weather forecasting, communication, navigation, and remote sensing contribute to improved livelihoods, better resource management, and enhanced connectivity, thereby fostering overall national development. ISRO regularly organizes various outreach programmes for students and the general public to create awareness and share its success stories. Click here to read…

III. Nuclear Technology

North India’s First Nuclear Project Coming up in Haryana

North India’s first nuclear project is coming up in Haryana in a small town called Gorakhpur. This was revealed by Dr. Jitendra Singh while reaffirming the government’s commitment to the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project, calling it a critical step toward India’s clean energy future. Responding to concerns raised in the Lok Sabha, Dr. Jitendra Singh clarified that environmental clearance for the project is under renewal and that necessary safeguards are in place to address ecological and safety concerns. Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that the government remains confident in the safety of the project despite objections from conservation groups and concerns about its location in a seismic zone. Addressing concerns about nuclear liability, the Minister stated that India’s Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) framework provides clear safeguards. Click here to read…

Nuclear Energy Mission Envisages Deployment of 100 GWe of Nuclear Energy

The nuclear energy mission announced in the budget-2025 envisages deployment of 100 GWe of nuclear energy by 2047, which is essential for NetZero by 2070. The mission aims to provide reliable energy alternative to fossil fuel energy sources with an objective to replace retiring thermal power-plants, set up captive plants for energy intensive industry & providing energy for remote as well as off-grid location with objective to decarbonize the energy sector. DAE is designing and developing SMRs mentioned below: Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR)-200Mwe; Small Modular Reactor (SMR) -55Mwe; and, Gas-cooled high-temperature reactor meant for hydrogen production. Fund of INR 20,000 Crore allocated in the budget-2025for deployment of five SMRs by 2033. Fund is also allocated for supporting to development of Small Modular Reactors mentioned above. Click here to read…

Launch of ‘Nuclear Mission’ to Meet India’s Increasing Requirements

“When Homi Bhabha launched India’s Nuclear programme, there was widespread scepticism about India’s allegedly hidden designs, and Homi Bhabha had sought to clear the air saying that “India’s Nuclear programme was dedicated to peaceful purposes”. Today, Homi Bhabha’s pledge stands vindicated by PM Narendra Modi with the launch of ‘Nuclear Mission’ to meet India's increasing requirements through environment friendly clean energy. The Union Government has announced a groundbreaking nuclear energy mission aimed at meeting India’s growing energy demands while ensuring a clean and stable power source, Dr. Jitendra Singh addressing the Rajya Sabha. The Minister described it as a groundbreaking initiative aimed at meeting India’s growing energy demands while ensuring a clean and stable power source. Click here to read…

Government Strengthens Nuclear Power with Stringent Measures

While addressing the Lok Sabha on 26 March 2025, Dr. Jitendra Singh reaffirmed the government's commitment to nuclear energy expansion, safety protocols, and private sector participation in India's nuclear power sector. Responding to a parliamentary discussion on nuclear power plants, he emphasized the unprecedented growth in reactor installations and advancements in nuclear energy generation over the past decade. The Minister highlighted Rajasthan’s significant contribution to India’s nuclear energy sector, stating that the state houses seven of the country’s 25 operational reactors. He noted that a previously non-functional unit has been revived, further strengthening the state’s nuclear output. Click here to read…

IAEA Visits India to Strengthen Cooperation in Energy and Cancer Treatment

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has been in India this week to attend the prestigious Raisina Dialogue and strengthen cooperation on nuclear energy and cancer care. During his four day-visit, Mr Grossi attended Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and economics and met with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs. They discussed the role of nuclear science and technology for peace and development. The Director General also enjoyed an exchange with Observer Research Foundation Chairman Sunjoy Joshi at Raisina Dialogue. The pair discussed the return to realism in nuclear energy, its future, non-proliferation, small modular reactors (SMRs) and the IAEA’s role in advancing safe and peaceful nuclear technology. Click here to read…

IV. Emerging Technologies and Applications

QNu Labs Working on World’s First Quantum-Safe Heterogeneous Network

Incubated at IIT Madras Research Park in 2016, QNu Labs is revolutionizing cybersecurity with quantum-safe solutions, positioning India as a global leader in quantum cryptography. Selected as one of the startups under the National Quantum Mission (NQM), QNu Labs aims to build and deploy a Quantum Communication Network that is Made in India, Made for the World with the world’s first end-to-end quantum- safe heterogeneous network. This network will integrate free-space QKD, indigenous components like SPD and encryptors, QHSM, and a software-defined QKD controller, showcasing India’s leadership in cutting-edge quantum communication technologies. Click here to read…

Breakthrough in Thermionic Emission with Metal/Semiconductor Superlattices

A groundbreaking advancement in thermionic emission, the process in which electrons escape from a material’s surface due to thermal energy, could revolutionize next-generation electronic and energy conversion technologies. Prof. Bivas Saha and his team at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India have engineered artificially structured defect-free single-crystalline elemental metal/compound semiconductor superlattices that harness interfacial engineering and leads to thermionic emission. Such engineered metamaterials lead to efficient electron transport and also utilize quantum properties of electrons. Click here to read…

DoT Announces Launch of the 5G Innovation Hackathon 2025

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced the 5G Innovation Hackathon 2025, a six-month initiative aimed at accelerating the development of innovative 5G-powered solutions to address societal and industrial challenges. Open to students, startups, and professionals, the programme provides mentorship, funding, and access to over 100 5G Use Case Labs, enabling participants to transform visionary ideas into scalable technologies. The hackathon invites proposals focused on key 5G applications such as AI-driven network maintenance, IoT-enabled solutions, 5G broadcasting, smart health, agriculture, industrial automation, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), D2M, V2X, and quantum communication. Click here to read…

Digitization of Cultural Heritage in India

India is one of the largest repositories of tangible heritage, with monuments, sites, and antiquities spanning from prehistoric times to the colonial era. While various organizations like the ASI, State Archaeology Departments, and INTACH have documented parts of this heritage, much remains scattered or undocumented. The absence of a unified database makes research, conservation, and management challenging. To address this, the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) was launched to systematically document and digitize built heritage, sites, and antiquities. Through standardized documentation, training programs, and public awareness, NMMA aims to create a comprehensive national database, ensuring the preservation of India's rich cultural legacy. Click here to read…

Adoption of Hybrid Technologies in Agriculture Sector

The Government has launched the National Mission on Edible Oils- Oilseeds (NMEO- OS), for enhancing domestic oilseed production and achieving self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in edible oils. The Mission has provision of creating 600 Value Chain Clusters across the country, collectively covering more than 10 lakh hectares annually. A Consortia Research Platform on Hybrid Technology for higher productivity in selected field crops including oilseeds (Indian Mustard) and Pulses (Pigeonpea) is in operation since 2014-15 to accelerate the development of hybrids. All India Coordinated Research Projects on different oilseeds and pulses are the nodal agencies for assessing yield performance and stability of the hybrid technology in specific zone and make final recommendation for its release at the national level. Click here to read…

V. International Cooperation

India and Cuba Cooperation in Science and Technology

India and Cuba reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in science and technology, particularly in biotechnology and biomanufacturing, as Cuba Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Eduardo Martínez Díaz called on the Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh in Delhi on 17 March 2025. The meeting, held on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, explored avenues to deepen collaboration in medical research, vaccine development, and sustainable biomanufacturing. During the discussions, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that collaborative research is indispensable for a science-driven society to have a global influence at scale. Click here to read…

India-Singapore Green Shipping & Digital Corridor Collaboration

India and Singapore signed Letter of Intent (LOI) on maritime digitalisation (Digital Corridor Collaboration) and Decarbonisation (Green Shipping) in Delhi 25 March 2025. The LOI was inked by Shri R Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary, MoPSW, and Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. Under the LOI, both sides will collaborate on maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation projects, including identifying relevant stakeholders who could contribute to the effort, and work towards formalising the partnership through a memorandum of understanding on a Singapore-India Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC). India is a leading player in information technology with the potential to become a major producer and exporter of green marine fuels. Click here to read…

India- New Zealand S&T Cooperation

At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, was on an Official Visit to India on 16-20 March 2025. In the joint statement, he two Leaders noted the significance of research, scientific connections, technology partnerships and innovation as an important pillar of the bilateral partnership and called for exploring such opportunities in mutual interest. Both sides stressed the need for stronger collaboration to develop and commercialize technologies in identified areas through closer collaboration between businesses, and industries. The two sides also recognized the challenges for their economies presented by climate change and the transition to low emissions climate resilient economies. Click here to read…

India- New Zealand Defence and Security Cooperation

In the joint statement issued on 17 March 2025, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Luxon welcomed sustained progress in defence engagements, including through participation in military exercises, staff college exchanges, regular port calls by naval ships, and exchange of high-level defence delegations. They recalled that the Indian Naval sailing vessel Tarini made a port call at Lyttelton, Christchurch, New Zealand in December 2024. They also referred to the upcoming port call in Mumbai by the Royal New Zealand Navy Ship HMNZS Te Kaha. Both Leaders welcomed the signing of the India-New Zealand Memorandum of Understanding for Defence Cooperation. This will further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and establish regular bilateral defence engagement. Click here to read…

Exploring Potential Joint Collaborations in Emerging Technologies

In a significant step towards elevating India's global position in emerging technologies, Global Head of IBM Corporation, an American multinational Technology Company headquartered in New York with presence in over 175 countries, Arvind Krishna called on Dr. Jitendra Singh to explore potential joint collaboration in Quantum, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and geospatial AI solutions. The meeting between the two delegations took place in the backdrop of India's recently launched National Quantum Mission, positioning the country as a global leader in quantum technologies. They deliberated on possibilities of integrating geospatial AI solutions to drive innovation and technological advancements across various sectors. Click here to read…

VI. Regional and Global Trends

Mapping the Future of Metamaterials

Mechanical metamaterials research demands interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, say researchers from MechE’s Portela Lab. Metamaterials are artificially-structured materials with extraordinary properties not easily found in nature. With engineered three-dimensional (3D) geometries at the micro- and nanoscale, these architected materials achieve unique mechanical and physical properties with capabilities beyond those of conventional materials — and have emerged over the past decade as a promising way to engineering challenges where all other existing materials have lacked success. Architected materials exhibit unique mechanical and functional properties, but their full potential remains untapped due to challenges in design, fabrication, and characterization. Click here to read…

AI Tool Generates High-Quality Images Faster than Advanced Approaches

The ability to generate high-quality images quickly is crucial for producing realistic simulated environments that can be used to train self-driving cars to avoid unpredictable hazards, making them safer on real streets. But the generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) techniques increasingly being used to produce such images have drawbacks. One popular type of model, called a diffusion model, can create stunningly realistic images but is too slow and computationally intensive for many applications. On the other hand, the autoregressive models that power LLMs like ChatGPT are much faster, but they produce poorer-quality images that are often riddled with errors. Researchers from MIT and NVIDIA developed a new approach that brings together the best of both methods. Click here to read…

Device Enables Direct Communication Among Multiple Quantum Processors

Quantum computers have the potential to solve complex problems that would be impossible for the most powerful classical supercomputer to crack. Just like a classical computer has separate, yet interconnected, components that must work together, such as a memory chip and a CPU on a motherboard, a quantum computer will need to communicate quantum information between multiple processors. Current architectures used to interconnect superconducting quantum processors are “point-to-point” in connectivity, meaning they require a series of transfers between network nodes, with compounding error rates. MIT researchers developed a photon-shuttling “interconnect” that can facilitate remote entanglement, a key step toward a practical quantum computer. Click here to read…

3D Printing Approach Strings Together Dynamic Objects for You

It’s difficult to build devices that replicate the fluid, precise motion of humans, but that might change if we could pull a few (literal) strings. At least, that’s the idea behind “cable-driven” mechanisms in which running a string through an object generates streamlined movement across an object’s different parts. Take a robotic finger, for example: You could embed a cable through the palm to the fingertip of this object and then pull it to create a curling motion. While cable-driven mechanisms can create real-time motion to make an object bend, twist, or fold, they can be complicated and time-consuming to assemble by hand. To automate the process, researchers from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have developed an all-in-one 3D printing approach called “Xstrings.” Click here to read…

Security Scheme Could Protect Sensitive Data During Cloud Computation

MIT researchers crafted a new approach that could allow anyone to run operations on encrypted data without decrypting it first. A hospital that wants to use a cloud computing service to perform AI data analysis on sensitive patient records needs a guarantee those data will remain private during computation. Homomorphic encryption is a special type of security scheme that can provide this assurance. The technique encrypts data in a way that anyone can perform computations without decrypting the data, preventing others from learning anything about underlying patient records. However, there are only a few ways to achieve homomorphic encryption, and they are so computationally intensive that it is often infeasible to deploy them in the real world. Click here to read…